For State Board of Education, District 4: Lawrence Allen,...

1of2Dressed as T-Rex, Sandra Calderon talks with Nick Savelli prior to a State Board of Education public hearing on proposed new science textbooks., Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013, in Austin, Texas. A new law is in place that gives school districts the freedom to choose their own instructional materials including software, electronic readers or textbooks with or without board approval. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)Photo: Eric Gay, STF

2of2Demonstrators hear speakers from the Texas Freedom Network at a rally as the State Board of Education conducts a public hearing regarding content in textbooks, including science textbooks, on September 17, 2013.Photo: TOM REEL

The State Board of Education — charged with adopting textbooks and curriculum for the state — has too often employed a political litmus test for what Texas children should learn rather than the standard of what students need to know to compete in a global economy. This election is particularly important because soon the SBOE will finalize the state's long-range plan for education and chart the state's course for the future.

Lawrence Allen, Jr. who was first elected to the board in 2004, has been a principal, assistant principal and teacher across town and is now community liaison at Houston Independent School District. He holds a bachelor's and two master's degrees from Prairie View A&M University. As the senior Democrat on the board, Allen, 56, says that he sets the tone for his fellow Democrats about how to approach an issue in a professional way that's not cantankerous. His collaborative style has been useful in steering this board away from the shores of political controversy and toward fact-based governance.

Since Allen has been on the Board for more than a decade, some could argue that it's time for a change. However, Allen's opponent, Steven A. Chambers, is not the person that voters should turn to as his replacement. Chambers, a pastor and educator, told the editorial board that he believes creationism should be taught as an option alongside evolution in Texas schools. After years of struggles with religious fundamentalists, the board has finally started embracing science standards and rejecting dogma. Electing Chambers to the board would risk reigniting this debate and undo the progress made by the board.

Chambers also failed to make a case that change was needed — he couldn't list a single vote where he disagreed with Allen. This primary essentially serves as a general election because Republicans haven't fielded a candidate for this seat. Democratic voters should get behind Allen and give him another term.